Venezuela crisis: Maduro’s government unveils US plans to implement military coup | World | News

Venezuelan Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez unveiled material which suggests a coup involving military personnel and politicians yesterday. Mr Rodriguez revealed recently-arrested Colonel Oswaldo Garcia admitted US officials were planning a military operation against Maduro this year. The Communications Minister also revealed Mr Garcia had visited Washington on multiple occasions and held further meetings in Brazil and Colombia to formulate plans to overthrow Maduro.

Donald Trump has condemned the Maduro regime and thrown his support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido while also indicating military action is a possibility.

He said: “Military action is something that’s on the table and is an option.”

Mr Garcia was also a part of an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Maduro last year.

Upon his arrest, he was apparently found in possession of contraband incriminating in a new coup attempt while he admitted to plotting a military intervention with the help of Colombia and the US.

Also implicated in Mr Garcia’s alleged coup attempt was Miami resident, Osman Delgado who has been accused of being “one of the financiers of the terrorist teams” tasked with eliminating Maduro.

Maduro has portrayed the US as the main villain for the unrest in the country and has blamed them for anti-government movements in 2018, 2014 and 2002.

The current Venezuelan President has stood firm against ongoing pressure from the US to step down from his position and has rallied the military behind him as they remain key to his support.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently said: “I’m convinced that many of the individuals that are inside the Venezuelan military don’t want to do harm to their brothers and sisters, to their children and their grandparents.

“I think they care about the Venezuelan people, too. I think over time they will come to see that Maduro’s time is up and change should be at hand.”

The US has imposed heavy sanctions on the South American country recently as it looks to oust Maduro.

US national security adviser John Bolton recently announced the US was syphoning off funds from its Citgo Petroleum Corporation oil refiner – which is majority owned by a Venezuelan state-owned company – in order to cut off Maduro’s main source of funds.

The US has, however, sent aid to Venezuela which has arrived in Colombia.

Unfortunately for the Venezuelan public, Maduro has blocked the entry of any US humanitarian aid into the country.

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